Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 24 July – 30 July 2019

Masaya | Nicaragua : INETER reported that at 1655 on 21 July a small explosion at Masaya’s Santiago Crater produced a gas-and-ash plume that drifted NW and W. A thin layer of ash was deposited near the volcano and in surrounding communities downwind, including San Ignacio, Panamá, and Arenal. During field visits during 21-22 July, INETER volcanologists confirmed that the emissions had originated from a vent on the crater floor.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that a seismic crisis at Piton de la Fournaise began at 0513 on 29 July and was accompanied by rapid deformation. Tremor beneath the N flank began to be recorded around 1200, indicating the likely start of the eruption, though inclement weather conditions prevented visual confirmation. OVPF visited the site and conducted helicopter overflights around 1630 and observed three active fissures, with a total length of 450 m, that crossed the July 2018 flows on the NW flank (600 m from the Formica Léo). The fissures produced 20-30-m-high lava fountains and ‘a’a lava flows that traveled no more than 500 m. After a gradual decline, volcanic tremor ceased at 0430 on 30 July signaling the end of the eruption.

Semisopochnoi | United States : On 24 July AVO reported that satellite data from the previous week indicated that the 100-m-wide crater lake in the N cone of Semisopochnoi’s Cerberus three-cone cluster was gone, and a new shallow inner crater about 80 m in diameter had formed on the crater floor. The lake had persisted since January 2019. Seismicity during 25-30 July was characterized by periods of continuous tremor, low-frequency earthquakes, and small explosion signals. Small steam plumes were visible in periodic, cloud-free satellite images, along with minor sulfur dioxide emissions.

Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : On 23 July field crews observed minor spattering and surface lava flows in Shishaldin’s summit crater during an overflight, prompting AVO to raise the Aviation colour Code to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch. Elevated surface temperatures were observed in multiple satellite images during 24-30 July, though views were sometimes obscured by weather clouds. Nearly continuous weak seismic tremor was detected, and occasional infrasound signals consistent with small Strombolian explosions were recorded during 26-27 July.

Tangkubanparahu | Western Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that a phreatic eruption at Tangkubanparahu’s Ratu Crater began at 1548 on 26 July and was recorded in seismic data for about five minutes and 30 seconds. Dense blackish-gray, sediment-laden plumes rose around 200 m above the lake surface, and a lighter-coloured component containing fine ash rose 600 m and spread NE and S. Tephra fell in a concentrated area within 500 m of the vent, creating deposits 5-7 cm thick. Visitors to the Kawasan Wisata Gunung Tangkuban Parahu tourist area that borders a section of the E and SE crater rim immediately evacuated. BNPB reported that the local government closed the tourist area noting that ash fell within a 1-2 km radius, in Jayagiri Village, Lembang District, and areas of the West Bandung Regency. Activity decreased after the eruption; tremor amplitude decreased during 27-28 July, and diffuse white plumes rose from the vent.

PVMBG noted that during the previous month white plumes of variable density rose as high as 150 m above the crater floor. Small local inflation was recorded, and deformation data continued to indicate instability at least through 27 July. Hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide concentrations began to increase on 10 July and then significantly declined at 1200 on 13 July. Measurements on 21 July indicated that gas emissions continued to fluctuate but decreased overall. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 1-4).

Ubinas | Peru : IGP reported that activity at Ubinas continued to be elevated after the 19 July explosions. A total of 1,522 earthquakes, all with magnitudes under 2.2, were recorded during 20-24 July. Explosions were detected at 0718 and 2325 on 22 July. The Buenos Aires VAAC reported that an ash plume rising to 9.4 km (31,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting SE was identified in satellite data at 0040 on 22 July. Continuous steam-and-gas emissions with sporadic pulses of ash were visible in webcam views during the rest of the day. Ash emissions near the summit crater were periodically visible on 24 July though often partially hidden by weather clouds. Ash plumes were visible in satellite images rising to 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. Diffuse ash emissions near the crater were visible on 25 July, though a thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. During 26-28 July there were 503 people evacuated from areas affected by ashfall.